MS Excel: Working with Nested IF, AND & OR Statements Explained
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Excel’s IF function is powerful on its own — but when combined with AND, OR, and nesting, it becomes a highly effective decision-making tool.
These functions allow you to create formulas that evaluate multiple conditions and return results automatically.
1️⃣ The IF Function (Quick Recap)
The basic structure of IF is:
=IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)
Example:
=IF(A2>=50,"Pass","Fail")
If the value in A2 is 50 or more, Excel returns “Pass”. Otherwise, it returns “Fail”.
2️⃣ Using IF with AND
The AND function checks whether all conditions are true.
Structure:
=IF(AND(condition1, condition2), value_if_true, value_if_false)
Example:
=IF(AND(A2>=50,B2="Complete"),"Approved","Not Approved")
This formula only returns “Approved” if:
A2 is 50 or more
B2 says “Complete”
If either condition is not met, it returns “Not Approved”.
Use AND when every condition must be true.
3️⃣ Using IF with OR
The OR function checks whether at least one condition is true.
Structure:
=IF(OR(condition1, condition2), value_if_true, value_if_false)
Example:
=IF(OR(A2>=1000,B2="Priority"),"Review","Standard")
This returns “Review” if:
A2 is 1000 or moreOR
B2 says “Priority”
Use OR when any one condition is enough.
4️⃣ Nested IF Statements
A Nested IF means placing one IF function inside another to handle multiple outcomes.
Example:
=IF(A2>=75,"Distinction",
IF(A2>=60,"Merit",
IF(A2>=50,"Pass","Fail")))
This creates a grading system:
75+ → Distinction
60–74 → Merit
50–59 → Pass
Below 50 → Fail
Nested IFs allow you to evaluate multiple levels of logic.
Why These Functions Matter
Nested IF, AND, and OR are essential for:
✔ Creating grading systems
✔ Approving or rejecting applications
✔ Categorising sales performance
✔ Risk assessments
✔ Financial decision logic
✔ Automated reporting
They turn Excel into a rule-based decision engine.
Best Practice Tips
Keep formulas clear and structured
Avoid excessive nesting (can become hard to read)
Consider using helper columns if logic becomes complex
Test each condition individually before combining
Final Thoughts
Mastering Nested IF, AND, and OR allows you to build smarter spreadsheets that think logically. These functions are widely used in finance, operations, HR, and reporting roles.
If you can control logic in Excel, you can automate decisions.
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